Page 2755 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 13 August 2019
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This budget will provide funding for the infrastructure, staff and resources that are needed to expand elective surgery capacity, allowing for 250 more elective surgeries to be performed a year. The capacity for urology services is also being increased, with a service expansion and four new staff based at Calvary public.
Overall, the funding allocated to improving Calvary Public Hospital will see 81 new doctors, nurses, administrators and other health professionals at Calvary hospital over the next two years. By investing in Calvary Public Hospital, this government is ensuring that people living in Canberra’s north have access to quality public health care at their local hospital. This will make a huge difference to the amount of time people will need to wait for elective surgery.
As part of our record investment in health, the ACT government are committed to the delivery of free public health care to people when and where they need it. Our nurse-led walk-in centres provide free public health care for Canberrans close to home, relieving the pressure on our emergency departments in cases of minor injury and illness and at the same time ensuring that people can seek medical treatment from a free public healthcare professional.
The 2019-20 budget will provide funding for a new walk-in centre to be built in Dickson, which will bring the total number of centres in the network to five. We know that Canberrans value their local walk-in centres. That is why we have committed to making sure every region in Canberra has their very own walk-in centre.
The Belconnen and Tuggeranong walk-in centres have recently celebrated five years of service, with the Gungahlin centre coming up to its first year of service and Weston Creek’s new centre almost ready for operation. Within my electorate, people have consistently spoken to me about the fantastic treatment they have received at the Gungahlin centre. I know that people in the inner north and Weston Creek will be just as pleased in the coming years.
In supporting Canberrans to live healthy lives, it is important that this government invest in mental health services across the ACT. Mental health professionals provide care and support for a variety of needs. Through this budget they will be supported to continue doing so.
The 2019-20 budget will allow for the expansion of the mental health consultation liaison service to operate at the Canberra Hospital every day.
Another key initiative in this budget is the commitment to expand public healthcare services for eating disorders through the new eating disorders specialist clinical hub. Previously in this Assembly and in the community we have heard the experiences of young Canberrans who have struggled with eating disorders and seeking adequate treatment. Through the establishment of the new specialist hub, these people will now be able to access the essential health services they need to improve their lives.
This budget also invests in more staff resources for the adult mental health unit at the Canberra Hospital, which will make sure adults with mental health needs are cared for and supported in their own recoveries.
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